Women's Tennis

Returners Lead PLU Women's Tennis at 2013 ITA Regional

PORTLAND – The Pacific Lutheran women's tennis team got a fall preview of the upcoming spring season last weekend at the 2013 ITA Regional hosted by Lewis & Clark.

Eight players traveled to Portland to compete at the ITA, with four returners and four freshmen making the trip. Samantha Lund led the team with a pair of wins over Lewis & Clark's McKenna McCluskey and George Fox's Chantel Hadeed before falling to third-seeded Caroline Brigham from Linfield.

Leah Newell picked up a first-round win over Carlee Rhodeback from Pacific, but dropped a third-set tiebreaker to Bella Hoyos from Whitman in the next round. Allison McClure picked up a pair of consolation match victories and Catherine Miolla and Emily Bower each claimed a consolation match victory for the Lutes.

"They all competed hard and acquired very valuable match experience, as well as important information of our NWC competitors' strengths and weaknesses," PLU head coach Lorrie Wood said.

The 2013-14 team will feature seven newcomers as the Lutes look to step forward in the spring season following the ITA tournament. All the incoming talent has the PLU coach excited about the upcoming year.

"I see a lot of potential in this young team and have a good feeling about these Lutes," Wood said. "They have already impressed me as they hit the ground running this fall, demonstrating from the first day of tryouts their enthusiasm to work hard and invest in their team and teammates."